Save or Splurge: Stripe short-sleeved shirts by Vivienne Westwood and Next

These "shirts" are similar only in terms of the colour (and even that isn't identical), but as we looked at the Next shirt, we thought it had a bit of a "Vivienne Westwood" feel about it, and then when we tracked down an ACTUAL red and white stripe shirt by Vivienne Westwood… we actually liked the Next version better.

And the world stood still, the sun started to revolve around it, and pigs took to the sky on wings of gold. THAT'S how surprised we were to discover that we liked something by NEXT better than something by The Good Dame Viv.

What about you, though, readers? Assuming you were in the market for a red and white stripey shirt, would you rather save or splurge?

Kirsty

I don’t wear button downs in the first place, but if I did, I…I don’t like that big frou frou collar. I know it would always be out of place on me. But I can’t see justifying the designer price tag for what is essencially a button down shirt and nothing more. I don’t think I’d bother with either.

JJ

Mia

The designer one looks like a pretty standard shirt. I really can’t see what makes it special enough to spend all that money. The Next one isn’t my style, but it is definitely nicer, or at least worth what they charge for it.

kevie

The next one is too fussy. If the Viv shirt had a fit to match the price tag, I would splurge. There is a reason simple, classic clothes–black pants, white shirts, LBDs, etc.–cost more. Retailers know that buyers won’t replace them as quickly as trendier, flashier pieces. They have to make up their profits in one sale.